What are the typical physical findings of mumps infection?
Mumps usually involves pain, tenderness and swelling in one or both parotid salivary glands. Swelling is first visible in front of the lower part of the ear. Swelling than extends downward and forward as fluid builds up in the skin and soft tissue of the face and neck. Swelling usually peaks in 1-3 days and then subsides during the next week. The swollen tissue pushes the angle of the ear up and out. As swelling worsens, the angle of the jawbone (mandible) below the ear is no longer visible. On palpation, often the jawbone cannot be felt because of swelling of the parotid. One parotid may swell before the other, and in 25% of patients, only one side swells. Other salivary glands (submandibular and sublingual) under the floor of the mouth also may swell but do so less frequently (10%). pictures showing parotid, sublingual, and submandibular glands From The Merck Manual of Medical Information – Second Home Edition, p. 667, edited by Mark H. Beers. Copyright 2003 by Merck & Co., Inc.
Mumps usually involves pain, tenderness and swelling in one or both parotid salivary glands. Swelling is first visible in front of the lower part of the ear. Swelling than extends downward and forward as fluid builds up in the skin and soft tissue of the face and neck. Swelling usually peaks in 1-3 days and then subsides during the next week. The swollen tissue pushes the angle of the ear up and out. As swelling worsens, the angle of the jawbone (mandible) below the ear is no longer visible. On palpation, often the jawbone cannot be felt because of swelling of the parotid. One parotid may swell before the other, and in 25% of patients, only one side swells. Other salivary glands (submandibular and sublingual) under the floor of the mouth also may swell but do so less frequently (10%).
